South Northants Community Responders

Training and Equipment

All Training and Equipment is provided by SNCR, South Northants Community Responder team engages in rigorous training, led by Training Officers from the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. This training encompasses a detailed four-day course conducted by experienced Ambulance Service Trainers.

It thoroughly prepares volunteers in all necessary aspects of being a Community First Responder. The course emphasises the development of essential skills and proficient use of critical equipment, ensuring each responder meets the high standards of care and emergency response expected in the South Northants community.

Every new responder undergoes a formal assessment at the end of their training. This is followed by regular ongoing training and refresher sessions to ensure their skills remain upto date. After training the new CFRs are put through a mentoring program with experienced responders and are signed off to respond solo intheir communitues. As a CFR scheme we are with you every step of the way ensuring you are confident and safe to respond in an emergency.

After your sign off Community First Responders are equipped with a response bag containing crucial first aid equipment, oxygen, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), enabling them to provide immediate and effective emergency care.

Apply to SNCR

If you are interested in volunteering your time for SNCR fill out the form to enquire.

Apply Online

Respond in your free time

The role of a responder

Community First Responders balance on-call duties with daily activities, ready to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. Ideal candidates are reliable, calm under pressure, physically fit, and compassionate. They play a crucial role in emergency care, being ordinary people trained to provide life-saving skills. Requirements include a clean driving record, willingness for a DBS check, and a commitment to volunteer hours and ongoing training. This role is integral to community safety and emergency response.

Community First Responders are now playing a vital role in the emergency care. They are just ordinary members of the public who have been trained by the ambulance service to deliver life-saving skills in their local areas pending the arrival of an ambulance.

Prior to training and equipment allocation, prospective responders have to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) which is carried out by the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The criteria for a responder is:
  • Be over 18yrs
  • Have a full UK Driving Licence which you have held for over 12 months and which carries no more than 3 penalty points. We cannot accept volunteers drink driving endorsements within 11 years of application.
  • Have access to a car for responding purposes
  • Agree to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and disclose any past convictions, reprimands or warnings, including those which for all other purposes may be considered spent. Please note this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and acceptance is at the discretion of East Midlands Ambulance Service. Failure to disclose any previous criminal record will affect your application.
  • Be able to commit to a minimum of 200 hours a year voluntary service.
In addition to the above volunteers are also required to:
  • Regularly attend scheme meetings for support and training.
  • Help with events, event cover, fundraising and other group activities.
  • Stay updated and in contact with the group coordinator via email or social media.
 
  • Basic Life Support
    Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
  • Use of a Automated External Defibrillator
    AED
  • Oxygen Therapy
    Resuscitation and Therapeutic
  • Breathing Problems Management
    Cardiac Arrests; Choking; Chest Pains; Control of Bleeding; Diabetic Emergencies; Seizures; Allergic Reactions; Strokes; Unconscious Patients
  • Patient Assessment
    Primary and Secondary
  • Patient History
    Recording and reporting
  • Blood Pressure
  • Temperature
  • Blood Glucose

Level 2

First Responders are trained in the following skills to attend patients over 12 years old:-

Level 3

This is a four day training course once a responder has been active for a year and attend patients from one day old upwards

  • Level 3
    Same a level 2 responder
  • Pediatric resuscitation
    From one day old baby
  • Drug Administration
    Salbutamol, Glucagon, GTN, Epi-Pen
  • Blood pressure
    Recording, Monitoring  and Reporting
  • Blood Glucose
    Recording, Monitoring and Reporting
  • Temperature
    Recording, Monitoring and Reporting
  • Falls
  • Physio Control CR2 AED
    Level 2 & 3
  • First Aid Pack & Dressings
    Level 2 & 3
  • Drugs – Oxygen, Salbutamol
    Level 2 & 3
  • Various Oxygen Mask
    28%, 100% and Nasal Cannulas
  • Bag-Valve
    Mask Resuscitator
  • Airway Suction Unit
    Level 2 & 3
  • Airway Management
    Oropharyngeal Airways Level 2 & 3
  • Pulse Oximeter
    Level 2 & 3
  • Patient Report Form
    Level 2 & 3
  • Thermometer
    Level 2 & 3
  • Blood Pressure
    Level 2 & 3
  • Blood Glucose Monitor
    Level 2 & 3

Responder Equipment

Examples of some the standard equipment we have depending on skill level includes:

Community First Responder

Application Form

  • Be over 18yrs
  • Have a full UK Driving Licence which you have held for over 12 months and which carries no more than 3 penalty points. We cannot accept volunteers drink driving endorsements within 11 years of application.
  • Have access to a car for responding purposes
  • Agree to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and disclose any past convictions, reprimands or warnings, including those which for all other purposes may be considered spent. Please note this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and acceptance is at the discretion of East Midlands Ambulance Service. Failure to disclose any previous criminal record will affect your application.
  • Be able to commit to a minimum of 200 hours a year voluntary service.

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